The Attorney General's Office says John Corea, the former director of the Hoboken Parking Utility was sentenced to state prison today for his role in the theft of $600,000 by a Toms River contractor whose company was hired by the City of Hoboken to collect coins from city parking meters.

The contractor previously pleaded guilty. Corea, 48, of Hoboken, was sentenced to seven years in state prison, including three years of parole ineligibility, by Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson Jr. in Ocean County.

He was ordered to pay $300,000 in restitution to the City of Hoboken and will be permanently barred from public employment in New Jersey.

“Government officials have a duty to act with complete honesty, integrity and care in dealing with public funds, but Corea corruptly betrayed that duty and the public’s trust, permitting a crooked contractor to literally make off with bags of cash belonging to the City of Hoboken,” said Attorney General Chiesa. “This lengthy prison sentence reflects a policy of zero tolerance when it comes to public officials who abuse their positions and break the law in New Jersey.” “This was a very costly breach of public trust,” said Stephen J. Taylor, Director of the Division of Criminal Justice. “The Division of Criminal Justice will continue to work with the State Police and other agencies to expose and convict those who engage in official misconduct.”